User:Sattvic7/architecture of uttar pradesh

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Taj Mahal, one of the most famous tourist destinations in Uttar Pradesh and India.

The architecture of Uttar Pradesh demonstrates a diverse and electic combination of Buddhist, Hindu, Indo-Islamic and Indo-European architectural styles. Two of its architectural monuments—the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort as well as the township of Fatehpur Sikri founded by the famous Mughal Emperor Akbar are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The architectural structures in Uttar Pradesh include Buddhist Stupas and Viharas, ancient monasteries, townships, forts, palaces, temples, mosques, mausoleums, memorials and other community structures.

Ancient Period

Under the Mahajanapadas

Uttar Pradesh was home to seven out of sixteen mahajanapadas of ancient India. Some forts from the kingdoms of Panchala (present-day Ahichchhatra near Bareilly) and Vatsa (present-day Kausambi, near Prayagraj) have been discovered.

Ahichchhatra Fort Temple Bareilly

The Lion Capital of Ashoka, originally placed on the top of the Ashoka pillar at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh by the Emperor Ashoka, in 250 BCE.

The Dhamekh Stupa in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna.

The Parinirvana Temple with the Parinirvana Stupa, in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. This is the place where the Buddha attained Parinirvana (death of a Buddha).

Ahichattra [[1]]

[2]

Gupta architecture [3] [www.gktoday.in/gk/gupta-architecture-salient-features-and-examples]

Maurya architecture [m.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/amp/mauryan-empire-art-and-architecture-1490249718-1] https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper1/mauryan-art-and-architecture-part-1

Under Mauryan rule

The structures largely consists of mound like structures calleds stupas containing relics (such as śarīra – typically the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns) that is used as a place of meditation. A related architectural term is a chaitya, which is a prayer hall or temple containing a stupa. While a few of these stupas have survived, a majority of them have fallen to ravages of time as well as the attacks of foreign invaders. The stupas in Piprahwa, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Kausambi and Sarnath are associated with the different stages of life of the founder of Buddhism—Gautama Buddha. The surviving Dhamek Stupa of Sarnath is an impressive 128 feet high and 93 feet in diameter. Among the ruins at Sarnath, structures of great significance, such as the famous Ashokan lion capital dated to around 250 BCE, originally surmounted on the Ashoka Pillar erected here, were found. The Lion Capital of Sarnath has been adopted as the National Emblem of India.

Classical Period

Famous temples are the Dashavatara Temple in Deograh, Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and Krishnajanmabhoomi in Mathura.

The Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh dated to early 6th century showcases the ornate Gupta style.

Dashavatara Temple: Lord Vishnu sleeping on the serpent with the five Pandava warriors and Draupadi beneath.

Indo-Islamic

Main and side pishtaq leading into the iwan of Atala Masjid.

Further information: Indo-Islamic architecture

Sultanates

Atala Masjid of Jaunpur shows a lot of influences of Hindu architecture. In fact, there is a clear resemblance of Hindu style of architecture, in the entire Masjid. The reason for such similarity is because the Atala Masjid is situated on the site of a temple of Atala Devi. Hence the Atala Masjid, Jaunpur also gets its name from this Hindu Temple.

Mughal

Further information: Mughal architecture

Rear of Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri.

Uttar Pradesh has three World Heritage Sites: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and the nearby Fatehpur Sikri. Allahabad Fort stands on the banks of the Yamuna near the confluence with the river Ganges. It is the largest fort built by Akbar.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal in Agra, built between 1632 and 1643 during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan is considered to be one of the best examples of Mughal architecture, as well as Indo-Islamic architecture as a whole. While earlier Mughal buildings were primarily constructed of red sandstone, Shah Jahan promoted the use of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones. Buildings under his patronage reached new levels of refinement. It is surrounded by vast gardens on all four sides.

Oudh

Lucknow, the capital of the state, has several beautiful historical monuments such as Bara Imambara and Chhota Imambara. It has also preserved the damaged complex of the Oudh-period British Resident's quarters, which are being restored.

Bara Imambara facade, Lucknow India

British Colonial period

European styles

The Allahabad Public Library built in the Scottish Baronial style, and All Saints Cathedral, Allahabad and Kanpur Memorial Church built in the gothic revival style are examples of European-styled buildings in Uttar Pradesh.

Indo-Saracenic Architecture

Further information: Indo-Saracenic architecture

The Lucknow Charbagh railway station and Kanpur Central railway station were built in the Indo-Saracenic style.

Charbagh Railway Station at Lucknow.

Post-Independence

NOIDA is a planned city and IT hub.

Notable buildings

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  Mulagandhakuti Vihara, Buddhist temple at Sarnath
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  Temple of the Tibetan community in Sarnath
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  Sridigamber Jain temple, Singhpuri, Sarnath, just behind the Dhamekh Stupa
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  Panch Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri.
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  Ganga Mahal Ghat (I) in Varanasi
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  Temple in Barsana, near Mathura, dedicated to the worship of Radha and Krishna.
• 
  Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri